Seat Cushion With Recessed Region To Provide Spinal Decompression

ABSTRACT

A seat cushion for use with a seat, chair, or bench. The cushion is provided with a strategically located recessed region, to provide spinal decompression for the user. The recessed region is located in the central, rear portion of the cushion, along the fore and aft axis of the cushion. The recessed region is further contained entirely within the periphery of the cushion, so that the portion of the cushion between the recessed region and the rear edge of the cushion provides support for the user. The depth of the recessed region is sufficient to allow spinal decompression, but it need not extend entirely through the thickness of the cushion. A number of configurations for the cutout, and applications for the seat cushion, are disclosed. Also disclosed are chair, bench, and seat constructions incorporating the seat cushion and providing its spinal decompression feature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to improvements in seat cushions for use with a seat, chair or bench. More particularly, the invention pertains to seat cushions provided with a strategically located recessed region, to provide spinal decompression for the user.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,205,010, issued to Shick, a Seat Cushion is disclosed that includes a triangular shaped cutout in the rear portion of the cushion. Shick's triangular-shaped cutout extends forwardly from the rear periphery of the cushion, and passes through the entire thickness of the cushion. This apparatus is intended to be used in conjunction with an existing chair, by overlying the seat and backrest portions thereof, rather than incorporating the feature of the cutout into a chair seat cushion, itself.

A Weight Measurement And Support Apparatus For A Human And Method Of Use is shown in Patent Application Publication No. US2005/0178590 A1, filed by Martin-Woodin et. al. This arrangement includes an aperture formed by cutouts both in the seat portion and the back portion of the chair. The cutouts in this apparatus extend to the periphery of the chair seat and the chair back, passing through the entire thickness of these structures.

Nevertheless, there remains a need for a seat cushion that provides spinal decompression, but is integrated into a conventional seat, chair or bench. There is also a need for such a seat cushion that provides spinal decompression while supporting the rear buttocks of the user, for comfort. Lastly, there is a need for a seat cushion that provides spinal decompression, and is adaptable for many applications, for incorporation into seats used in motor vehicles, aircrafts, trains, and chairs for the home or office or elsewhere.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that when the human body is forced to set in a chair or on a bench in an upright position for an extended period of time, the spine compresses due to upward pressure applied by the coccyx and the sacrum. The weight of the body pushes these lower spinal elements against a substantially compressed seat surface, and these elements effectively urge the spine upwardly within the body toward the head. In this compressed condition, circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid throughout the spine and its discs is inhibited. The resulting dehydrated discs are more easily fractured, and the person is likely to experience more chronic pain in his or her back.

The present invention pertains to improvements in seat cushions for use with a seat, chair, or bench, calculated to relieve such spinal compression. The seat cushion is provided with a strategically located recessed region, to accommodate the coccyx and the sacrum, allowing the spine to stretch out and decompress while the person is sitting comfortably.

The recessed region is located in the central, rear portion of the cushion, along the fore and aft axis of the cushion. The recessed region is further contained entirely within the periphery of the cushion, so that a bolster portion of the cushion between the recessed region and the rear edge of the cushion provides support for the user.

The depth of the recessed region is sufficient to allow spinal decompression, but it does not necessarily need to extend entirely through the thickness of the cushion. A number of different configurations for the cutout are disclosed, including trapezoidal, ovaloid, and circular. Various applications for the seat cushion are also disclosed, for incorporation into chairs and seats used in cars, motorcycles, trucks, trains, and planes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair incorporating the features of the present invention, the broken lines illustrating how the seat cushion may be affixed over the existing upper surface of the chair seat;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle chair with backrest, showing the seat cushion provided with a cutout;

FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of a vehicle chair, provided with armrests and a headrest;

FIG. 4 is an office chair, including a seat cushion provided with a cutout;

FIG. 5 is a typical front or rear seat assembly in a vehicle, including a pair of seats provided with seat cushions including cutouts, arranged on either side of a bench seat;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken through a chair incorporating a cutout in the seat cushion, the fragmentary skeletal frame of a person being included to show the manner in which spinal decompression occurs;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a seat cushion, showing a trapezoidal cutout, therein;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a seat cushion, showing an ovaloid cutout, therein;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of a seat cushion, showing a circular cutout, therein;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken through a seat cushion cutout which does not extend entirely through the thickness of the cushion; and,

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken through a seat cushion cutout extending entirely through the thickness of the cushion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Making particular reference to FIG. 1, the seat cushion 11 of the present invention includes a front edge 12, a rear edge 13, and side edges 14 extending therebetween. These front, rear, and side edges define a periphery 16, extending entirely around cushion 11. A fore and aft axis 17 extends generally between a center of front edge 12 and a center of rear edge 13 of cushion 11.

Cushion 11 further includes a recessed, generally trapezoidal recessed region 18, strategically located in its upper surface 19. Recessed region 18 is located in the central, rear portion of the cushion, along the fore and aft axis 17 of cushion 11. Significantly, the recessed region 18 is contained entirely within the periphery 16 of the cushion, so that a bolster portion 21 of the cushion between the recessed region 18 and the rear edge 13 of the cushion 11 provides support for the buttocks of the user. See, also, FIGS. 7 and 11, where views of recessed region 18 are shown, in an enlarged scale. Additionally, it should be noted that in the embodiment of the cushion 11 shown in FIG. 1, the recessed region 18 extends through the entire thickness of the cushion. FIG. 11 depicts a cross-sectional view of recessed region 18, in greater detail. However, as will be explained more fully below, different configurations and different depths for the strategically located recessed region 18 may be employed as well.

As depicted in FIG. 1, cushion 11 may be used advantageously on and in conjunction with an otherwise conventional chair 22. Chair 22 includes a generally horizontal support frame 23, having four corners 24 and an upper support surface 26. An underside of cushion 11 rests upon and may be affixed directly to upper support surface 26 by means of glue, hook and loop fasteners, or other mechanical fasteners (not shown). Legs 27 depend vertically and downwardly from each corner 24 of support frame 23, to rest on the floor surface. A backrest 28 extends generally vertically from a rear side 29 of support frame 23, and is maintained securely in position by connector bars 31.

Another construction for a chair 32, incorporating the cushion 11 of the present invention, is shown in FIG. 2. Chair 32 is representative of the typical chair used in a car, airplane, bus, or other motor vehicle. Chair 32 includes the cushion 11 previously described, as well as a generally vertically oriented backrest cushion 33. In this construction, cushion 11 and cushion 33, typically include internal padding or foam for user comfort, and internal springs and other framework and structure for support and connection to other structures. These features are well known in the art, and need not be shown or discussed in further detail for the purposes of understanding this chair construction.

One aspect of the cushion 11 which should be noted is the different construction of trapezoidal-shaped recessed region 34. In contrast to the previously described recessed region 18, recessed region 34 does not extend entirely through the thickness of cushion 11. Rather, recessed region 34 is shallower, having a floor 36 within the region. FIG. 10 depicts a cross-sectional view of recessed region 34, in greater detail. Functionally, recessed region 34 must only be deep enough so as to allow spinal decompression for the user. But being shallower than recessed region 18, and having a floor 36, recessed region 34 may be more aesthetically pleasing for certain applications.

Yet another construction for a chair 37, is shown in FIG. 3. Chair 37 is nearly identical to chair 32, but is somewhat more adapted for use in an automobile or airplane, including armrests 38 and a headrest 39. Chair 37 also includes the previously described recessed region 34, including a floor 36. As is evident from the drawings, both chair 32 and chair 37 include bolster portion 21, between recessed region 34 and rear edge 13 of cushion 11.

An office chair 41 incorporating the cushion 11 of the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 4. The cushion 11 employed in this construction has a recessed region 34 and a bolster portion 21, as previously described. Chair 41 includes a planar support frame 42 integrated within the construction of cushion 11. As shown, support frame 42 includes an upper support surface 43 and a lower support surface 44, but other constructions for the support frame are well known in the art. A support post 46 depends vertically downwardly from lower support surface 44, and includes a plurality of legs 47 extending radially in equally spaced relation from its lower end 48. Legs 47 are oriented generally horizontally, with each including a caster 49 on its outer end. A backrest assembly 51 extends generally vertically from the rear side of support frame 42. Chair 41 has apparent utility in the office setting, where a user must sit for hours in an upright position, and would be most susceptible to the ills of spinal compression.

For use in the front or back seat of an automobile, for example, a chair/seat combination 52 of two of the previously described chairs 32 with a conventional bench seat 53 therebetween, is shown in FIG. 5. This arrangement provides the spinal decompression feature for the driver and/or passengers, while maintaining the utility of a flat surfaced bench seat 53 between the two chairs 32.

FIG. 8 shows an ovaloid configuration for recessed region 18, in which the rearward portion of region 18 is slightly larger in transverse dimension than the forward portion. Although this configuration as shown depicts that the recessed region passes entirely through the thickness of cushion 11, it is understood that this configuration could also be shallower, and include a floor 36, as explained above. And, FIG. 9 shows a circular configuration for recessed region 34, which is provided with a floor 36. As with the ovaloid configuration, the circular configuration can also be constructed so that the recess passes entirely through the thickness of cushion 11.

FIG. 6 best shows the practical utility of the cushion 11 in use. The skeletal representation 54 of a user includes two features at the lower end of the spine 55: the sacrum 56 and the coccyx 57. It will be appreciated that while the user is sitting, both the sacrum 56 and the coccyx 57 of the user are allowed to settle and intrude downwardly into recessed region 34, providing spinal decompression. At the same time, the buttocks of the user are fully supported by the cushion 1 1, and in particular the bolster portion 21. 

1. A seat cushion for use with a seat, chair, or bench, comprising, a cushion having a front edge, a rear edge, and side edges extending therebetween and defining a periphery around said cushion, said cushion further having a fore and aft axis extending generally between a center of said front edge and a center of said rear edge, said cushion further including a recessed region in its upper surface, said recessed region being located in the central, rear portion of the cushion, along the fore and aft axis of said cushion, said recessed region being contained entirely within said periphery of said cushion, so that a bolster portion of the cushion between the recessed region and the rear edge of the cushion provides support for the user.
 2. A seat cushion as in claim 1 in which said recessed region is sufficiently deep to provide spinal decompression for the user, but does not extend entirely through a thickness of said cushion.
 3. A seat cushion as in claim 1 in which said recessed region extends entirely through a thickness of said cushion.
 4. A seat cushion as in claim 1 in which said recessed region is trapezoidal, ovaloid, or circular in configuration.
 5. A seat cushion as in claim 1 further including a generally vertically extending backrest having a lower edge in contingent relation with said rear edge of said cushion.
 6. A seat cushion as in claim 5 further including a second seat cushion and a second backrest with a bench seat therebetween.
 7. A chair comprising: a generally horizontal support frame, said support frame having at least four corners and an upper support surface; a leg depending vertically downwardly from each of said corners; a backrest extending generally vertically from a rear side of said support frame; and, a seat cushion, said seat cushion having a front edge, a rear edge, and side edges extending therebetween and defining a periphery around said cushion, said cushion further having a fore and aft axis extending generally between a center of said front edge and a center of said rear edge, said cushion further including an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface overlying said upper support surface of said support frame, said cushion further including a recessed region in said upper surface, said recessed region being located in the central, rear portion of the cushion, along the fore and aft axis of said cushion, said recessed region being contained entirely within said periphery of said cushion, so that a bolster portion of the cushion between the recessed region and the rear edge of the cushion provides support for the user.
 8. A chair as in claim 7 in which said recessed region is sufficiently deep to provide spinal decompression for the user, but does not extend entirely through a thickness of said cushion.
 9. A chair as in claim 7 in which said recessed region extends entirely through a thickness of said cushion.
 10. A chair as in claim 7 in which said recessed region is trapezoidal, ovaloid, or circular in configuration.
 11. An office chair, comprising: a generally horizontal support frame, said support frame having an upper support surface; a support post depending vertically downwardly from lower support surface in a central portion of said support frame; a plurality of legs extending radially in spaced relation from a lower end of said support post, said legs being oriented generally horizontally, each including a caster on its outer end; a backrest extending generally vertically from a rear side of said support frame; and, a seat cushion, said seat cushion having a front edge, a rear edge, and side edges extending therebetween and defining a periphery around said cushion, said cushion further having a fore and aft axis extending generally between a center of said front edge and a center of said rear edge, said cushion further including an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface overlying said upper support surface of said support frame, said cushion further including a recessed region in said upper surface, said recessed region being located in the central, rear portion of the cushion, along the fore and aft axis of said cushion, said recessed region being contained entirely within said periphery of said cushion, so that a bolster portion of the cushion between the recessed region and the rear edge of the cushion provides support for the user.
 12. An office chair as in claim 11 further including arm rest means providing support for the arms of the user of the chair, said arm rest means having a lower end connected to said support frame.
 13. An office chair as in claim 12 including arm rest means on either side of said support frame.
 14. An office chair as in claim 13 in which each of said arm rest means comprises a horizontal arm rest and at least one vertical brace extending between said arm rest and said support frame.
 15. An office chair as in claim 11 in which said recessed region is sufficiently deep to provide spinal decompression for the user, but does not extend entirely through a thickness of said cushion.
 16. An office chair as in claim 11 in which said recessed region extends entirely through a thickness of said cushion.
 17. An office chair as in claim 11 in which said recessed region is trapezoidal, ovaloid, or circular in configuration.
 18. A motor vehicle seat comprising: a generally horizontal support frame; a backrest extending generally vertically from a rear side of said support frame; and, a seat cushion, said seat cushion having a front edge, a rear edge, and side edges extending therebetween and defining a periphery around said cushion, said cushion being connected to said support frame and having a fore and aft axis extending generally between a center of said front edge and a center of said rear edge, said cushion further including an upper surface and a recessed region in said upper surface, said recessed region being located in the central, rear portion of the cushion, along the fore and aft axis of said cushion, said recessed region being contained entirely within said periphery of said cushion, so that a bolster portion of the cushion between the recessed region and the rear edge of the cushion provides support for the user.
 19. An automobile seat as in claim 18 in which said recessed region is sufficiently deep to provide spinal decompression for the user, but does not extend entirely through a thickness of said cushion.
 20. An automobile seat as in claim 18 in which said recessed region extends entirely through a thickness of said cushion. 